Ambush magazine volume 34 issue 04 by Ambush Publishing

2 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om GayMardiGras.c

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 3

the "official" dish by Rip & Marsha Naquin-Delain Email: ripna@ambushmag.com

Ken GrandPre & Monica Synclaire-Kennedy will lead Gay Easter Parade as 17th Grand Marshals The Board of Directors of the Gay Easter Parade have selected businessman Ken GrandPre and celebrity/socialite Monica Synclaire-Kennedy to reign as Easter Grand Marshals XVII. The duo will lead the 17th Gay Easter Parade on Sunday, March 27th through the streets of the French Quarter. They were chosen for their outstanding support of the parade and its fundraisers. The 2016 parade is off to a good start already raising $1,749 including: $775 In Honor of Darwin Reed and Opal Masters Wedding, $500 Gold Sponsorship from EGM XII Gary Vandeventer, $248 from GrandPre's Saints Games Fundraisers, and $226 from Four Seasons Turnabout Show. Sponsorship forms are now available at www.GayEasterParade.com. Parade Entry Forms will be available at www.GayEasterParade.com as soon as carriage prices are confirmed. It is first come, first served. The Board has also set the dates for the 6 official fundraising events hosted each year. Funds raised minus expenses benefits Food For Friends, a vital agency of the NO/AIDS Task Force. A whopping $231,674.73 has been raised for charity the past 14 years. Events include: > Sunday, Feb. 21st, 4-6pm @ The Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis St., 6th Sponsorship Party with complimentary well drinks, domestic beer, buffet & Official Sponsor Pin for all Sponsor Levels: $100, $250, $500, $1,000; > Saturday, March 5th, 8-10pm @ Oz, 800 Bourbon St., 15th Super StarStudded Drag Extravaganza hosted by GEP Board's Rip & Marsha NaquinDelain; > Friday, March 11th, 8-10pm @ Four Seasons, 3229 N. Causeway, Metairie, 14th Spring Fever Extravaganza hosted by GEP Board's Electra City & Tittie Toulouse; > Saturday, March 12th, 8-10pm @ GrandPre’s, 834 N. Rampart, 8th Eggstravaganza hosted by GEP Board's Darwin Reed & Opal Masters; > Saturday, March 19th, 8-10pm @ Double Play, 439 Dauphine St., 17th Purple Party Easter Grand Marshals Reception hosted by GEP Board of Directors; and > Friday, March 25th, 7:30-10:30pm @ TBA, 7th Bunnies in The Big Easy hosted by GEP Board's Tony Leggio & Steve Patrick.

Gay Easter Parade's 6th Sponsorship Party Feb. 21 catered by Food For Friends @ Corner Pocket With Carnival barely out of the way, it's already time for Easter season! The 17th Gay Easter Parade will host its 6th Annual Sponsorship Party on Sunday, Feb. 21st at a larger location this year, The Corner Pocket, 940 St. Louis St. in New Orleans from 4-6pm. This is your opportunity to celebrate the reason for the season, Food For Friends. Yes, parade revenues minus expenses benefits this vital agency of the NO/AIDS Task Force. And this will be the first function honoring Easter Grand Marshals XVII Ken GrandPre and Monica Synclaire-Kennedy. The Food For Friends (FFF) Program of NO/

Pre-Easter due out March 1 DEADLINE: Tues., Feb. 23

inside celebrazzi/new orleans the real cheese under the gaydar 51st amon-ra ball paparazzi 48th armeinius bal masque paparazzi 52nd bourbon street awards pics 29th gay mardi gras bead toss pics a community within communities 33rd lords of leather bal masque pics ambush paparazzi/new orleans

6 8 10 12 14 16 17 20 21 22

trodding the boards classifieds mobile paparazzi big easy paparazzi/new orleans big easy paparazzi/new orleans

23 24-25 26 28 30

AD INFO: Call 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

Gulf South LGBT+ Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 828-A Bourbon St. • New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 • 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

AIDS Task Force has been supplying groceries, household/personal care products, and home delivered meals to clients and their families in the greater New Orleans area for over two decades. FFF is one of the 38 programs that NO/AIDS Task Force offers to the HIV and AIDS infected and affected community. NO/AIDS has been serving the community for over 30 years. There are four levels of sponsorship including: Platinum $1,000, Gold $500, Silver $250 and Bronze $100. Sponsorship forms will be available at the party and are also available at www.GayEasterParade.com. If you join the sponsorship party, each sponsor will receive complimentary well cocktails, domestic beer, and a scrumptious buffet catered by Food For Friends. Additionally, Easter Grand Marshal XVI Deja Deja-Vue' has generously donated this years official sponsor pin, a jewelled bunny, which each sponsor will receive.

2016 Easter Sponsor Pin This kick-off party out grew the original location in past years, Cutter's, and the GEP Board of Directors would like to thank Mac McAll and his staff for their past support and dedication to the parade.

Bourbon Street Awards Presents Whopping $8,000 to Winners The 52nd Annual Bourbon Street Awards presented by Oz New Orleans, and sponsored by Ambush Magazine, brought dazzling costumes to the favorite stage in the 800 block of Bourbon St. Mardi Gras weekend. Originally, the awards were slated to present $500 to the winners of Best Drag, Best Leather, Best Group and Best of Show categories, and $1,000 to Best Overall Costume. But that all changed when local developer Mike Motwani generously increased the awards to $1,000 to the winners of Best Drag, Best Leather, Best Group and Best of Show categories, and $4,000 to Best Overall Costume, a whopping $8,000 in cash. Wow!!! BEST OVERALL winning $4,000 went to Merman & Kraken (Armeinius). BEST GROUP winning $1,000 went to Merman & Kraken (Armeinius), with 2nd place to King & Queen Satyricon, and 3rd place to Krewe du Veuve.

4 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om GayMardiGras.c

THE OFFICIAL MAG

Facebook.COM/AmbushMag Gulf South Entertainment/Travel Guide Since 1982 • Texas-Florida Official Gay Easter Parade Guide© Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide© Official Gay New Orleans Guide© Official Pride Guide© Official Southern Decadence Guide© AWARD WINNING:

Saints & Sinners Literary Festival Hall of Fame/2015, Louisiana Excellence Award: Media & Internet/2014, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2014, 25th NO/AIDS Task Force Humanitas Award/2013, New Orleans Print Media Award/ 2013, Krewe of Mwindo Media Honoree/2009, Krewe of Petronius Carnival Spirit of Gay Mardi Gras XLVIII Award/2009, Forum For Equality Acclaim Awards X Media Recipient/2008, NO/AIDS Task Force Prometheus “Torch of Truth” [media] Award/2001 OFFICE/SHIPPING ADDRESS: 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137 USA OFFICE HOURS: 10am-3pm Monday-Friday [Except Holidays] Email: ripna@ambushmag.com PHONE: 1.504.522.8049 ANNUAL READERSHIP OVER 1 MILLION: 260,000+ in print/780,000+ On-line CIRCULATION: Alabama-Mobile Florida - Pensacola Louisiana - Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Metairie, New Orleans, Slidell Mississippi - Bay St. Louis, Biloxi Texas - Houston

STAFF: PUBLISHER/EDITOR R. Rip Naquin, New Orleans PRODUCTION DIRECTOR M. Marsha Delain, New Orleans GULF SOUTH/NEW ORLEANS AD SALES Rip Naquin • 504.522.8049 Paul Melancon THEATRE/PERFORMING ARTS CRITIC Brian Sands AD REPS/JOURNALISTS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Tony Leggio, Hubert S Monkeys, Felicia Phillips, Frank Perez, Rev. Bill Terry-New Orleans MIss Cie, Leon Weekley-Mobile, AL National Advertising Rep: Rivendell Media 212.242.6863 Ambush Mag is published on alternate Tuesdays of each month by Ambush, Inc., R. Rip NaquinDelain, President. Advertising, Copy & Photo DEADLINE is alternate Tuesdays, 4pm, prior to publication week, accepted via e-mail only: marsha@ripandmarsha.com, except for special holidays. The Publisher assumes no responsibility for the claims of advertisers and has the right to reject any advertising. The inclusion of an individual's name or photograph in this publication implies nothing about that individual's sexual orientation. Letters, stories, etc., appearing herein are not necessarily the opinion of the Publisher or Staff of AMBUSH Mag. Subscription rate is $45 for 1/2 Year; $75 for 1 year. Sample Copy is $3 First Class Mail. ©1982-2016 AMBUSH, INC., ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. NOTHING HEREIN MAY BE REPRODUCED WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE PUBLISHER INCLUDING AD LAYOUTS, MAPS and PHOTOS. AMgrant - AMbush Advertising Grant Donation

BEST OF SHOW winning $1,000 went to The Spider (Armeinius), with 2nd to Bangkok (Lords of Leather), and 3rd to Apollo. BEST LEATHER winning $1,000 went to Tommy (Lords of Leather), 2nd to Berlin - Mr. Louisiana Leather (Lords of Leather), and 3rd to Lord Consort (Lords of Leather). BEST DRAG winning $1,000 went to Little Miss Muffin (Armeinius), 2nd to Margaret Orr, and 3rd to Queen Elizabeth. For more on the Bourbon Street [continued on 8]

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 5

celebrazzi

King Cake Queen XXII of Gay Mardi Gras Aubrey Synclaire (above) reigned as "Queen of the Opera: Act II" over the 29th Official Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss from the world famous balcony at Ambush Mansion on Feb. 9th in New Orleans. Many in the Krewe of Queenateenas' King Cake Royalty Club were in attendance including (below): KCQ's V Liz Simms, XVII Opal Masters, XIV Princesse Stephaney, XXII Aubrey Synclaire, XV Marsha Delain, XXI (and King Amon-Ra LI) Barbara Ella & IV Reba Douglas. (Photos by Darwin Reed)

Krewe of Armeinuis' own Merman & Kraken took top honors at the 52nd Bourbon Street Awards winning BEST OVERALL taking home $4,000 cash and BEST GROUP taking home $1,000 cash. The awards are hosted each year by Oz New Orleans and sponsored by Ambush Magazine. More information is available at www.GayMardiGras.com. (Photo by Hubert S Monkeys)

Bar Baron Jerry Ehlen joins Derrick Barry after her hit performance portraying Britney Spears at Gulf Coast's famous B-Bob's in downtown Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Miss Cie)

The Krewe of Amon-Ra's 51st Mardi Gras Ball: Everything That Glitters Isn't Gold... In the Garden of Good and Evil culminated with the introduction of Queen and King Amon-Ra LI Mina Hernandez and Chris Arthur at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, Louisiana. (Photo by Hubert S Monkeys)

The 48th Bal Masque of the Krewe of Armeinius celebrated "Beauty & The Beast" bringing Queen and King Armeinius XVIII John Peifer and Scott Spivey to the stage at the Frederick J. Sigur Civic Center in Chalmette, Louisiana. (Photo by Hubert S Monkeys)

Lord King and Consort XXXIII Kelley Terry and Kyle Robin brought to a climax the 33rd Lords of Leather Bal Masque: There's No Cure Like Travel at the Alario Center in Westwego, Louisiana. (Photo by Hubert S Monkeys)

6 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om GayMardiGras.c

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 7

the real cheese by Felicia Phillips Email: fphillips1011@gmail.com Photo by Hubert S Monkeys

Another Holiday Well another carnival season has come and gone. Even though I was able to attend some great balls and events I must say it just didn’t seem like Mardi Gras, I feel mainly because it was so early this year. That was up until Fat Tuesday! After working all day Lundi Gras, I was in bed early in order to rise at the crack of dawn to start the ritual of becoming whatever it is I become after layering 3 lbs. of makeup on my face and tucking my little Willy Wonka up in the chocolate factory, the 45 degree weather that morning made that part of the process much easier! Painted, dressed and loaded up on my scooter I was off, maneuvering thru the endless crowds in the Marigny, I make it to the start of my adventure, the new fabulous apartment of Lee (Bunny) Brasseaux, where he and fellow liquor enthusiast Anita Daniels were seemingly still getting over New Year, after helping them finish off a bit of champagne they were able to get me in my corset without having to bother calling the fire dept. for the jaws of life just in case things went bad. Now the trek toward the Bourbon Street Awards and the Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss began. The multitudes of people in every kind of costume was what I had been waiting to see, far too many to comment on, but the one that has to get a shout out was the Planned Parenthood man peddling baby parts ala Mr. Okra complete with megaphone! We make a stop at The McRaney’s Royal Street home, which they acquired from there somewhat famous cousin Gerald and his wife, Delta Burke. Only in this town could a nearly over the hill cross dresser from Southeast Texas get to crash a party such as this. They are the epitome of a hospitable NOLA couple, open bar, open balcony, delightful food. Before leaving Mrs. McRaney insisted that we go upstairs and look at their renovations, the décor was stunning, even the bathroom, I never dreamed the day would come where I’d be sipping a cocktail while looking at a toilet that Suzanne Sugarbaker once called her own! We arrive at The Ambush Mansion to await entrance to the annual Bead Toss and marvel at the costumes competing at the Awards, crowd wasn’t as thick as pass years on our side, but the energy was electric. Although I couldn’t see much of the stage, I could hear hometown gal done good, Superstar Bianca Del Rio who didn’t disappoint, but I did notice that her new main stream appeal has toned her down a bit as I only counted twelve Fbombs. Upon entering and getting my exercise for the month, climbing the stairs in heels, we were greeted by hosts Rip and Marsha and more delightful food! Two year reigning King Cake Queen

and her breasts, Aubrey Synclaire were looking lovely and ready to toss some beads in hopes that not everyone down on the street was suffering from ‘shrinkage’ due to the frigid temperature. Such a mix of characters, former KCQ’s and SDGM’s along with local entertainers, neighbors, family and friends. Newly crowned King of Amon-Ra, Chris (Barbara Ella) Arthur’s costume was Broadway worthy, while Amon-Ra’s new Emperor and Empress, Darwin Reed and Opal Masters went for comfort. Tittie Toulouse was the most creative as Lesbian politician Hillary Clinton Synclaire Kennedy. The most beautiful I have to say was Adrian Claveria, there were only two things that distracted me from her captivating natural looks, Stephen Valiente in those jeans, and the sound of Reba Douglas’s voice coming up the stairs. Not saying that Reba is loud, but Helen Keller could hear her. After the beads were done, I head out to the streets with Tony Leggio, who was working his Antoinette persona, in a magnificent Venetian glittered goddess costume and mask. Everyone commented on the amount of work and detail on it, I had to come clean and tell them about the group of seven year old Guatemalans he keeps on retainer in his basement. First stop, a rocking house party on Bourbon Street right next to the Pub. Straight, Gay and unsures were a plenty there, another open bar and food galore! Sexy people in every room, one which was wearing a floral dress, pink hair and a handsome short beard, grabbed me first things, and says I met you at the twelth night party, do you remember me? Well only Everclear spiked punch could have made me forget this handsome young man, who I now know as Ed. Now on to Oz, which was more crowded than black Friday at Walmart. Between the dancers on top of the bar and some of the bartenders working well in only underwear, I almost lost my dignity. In fact the bartender upstairs could’ve served me hot dish water and I would have gladly paid, oh my if I wasn’t a lady I would have taken 6 looks at that body instead of 5! I was then greeted by talented young Ilayanna

Delorean, who I almost didn’t recognize as Wade, looking so much like trade, I knew it was time to keep moving as my lesbian tendencies were likely to come out. On to Good Friends, where on the balcony we see two more handsome young men, who turn out to be more of the cities new talents, DJ Bouffant Bouffant, and performer Madonnathan Hastings, who was also looking like trade! I’m not sure when this trend started, but in my early days, the prettiest in drag were usually some kind of homely as men (myself included), today it’s just beauty no matter which gender they choose to express, and that makes me tingly! Back to the streets to try and make it to my scooter, Antoinette and I continue to experience this boy/girl beauty

phenomenon as we run into none other than Persana Shoulders, as her Boy persona of Drew, complete with a nice five o’clock shadow, also looking like yes, TRADE! I know he had earned that stubble with all the work Mardi Gras brings. On the way to find our ways home, I tell Tony that his alter ego was truly becoming quite popular and that I could see cross dressing becoming a regular gig for him, to which he responded oh no this is only for the holiday, to which I respond well in New Orleans it’s never long till another holiday! And that’s the Real Cheese!

the "official" dish ...from 4

appreciates the talents and skills of its members. Three levels of membership are available: full lord, viscount and baron. "We hope to see you there." For applications and more information about the krewe please visit our website www.lordsofleather.org or contact a current member.

Awards, www.GayMardiGras.com.

Amon-Ra's 52nd Rush Party Feb. 28 @ Lafitte's The Krewe of Amon-Ra celebrates "52 is Fabulous!" at its annual Rush Party on Sunday., Feb. 28th from 25pm in The Balcony Bar, upstairs at Cafe Lafitte in Exile, 901 Bourbon Street. The krewe invites you "to have a ball, then be in one!" For the past four years, the AmonRa Ball has been voted Gay Carnival Ball of the Year by the readers of Ambush Magazine for its annual Gay Appreciation Awards.

Krewe of Narcissus Rush Party March 6 @ GrandPre's New Orleans' newest Gay Mardi Gras Krewe, Narcissus will host its Rush Party on Sunday, March 6th from 2-6pm at GrandPre's, 834 N. Rampart in New Orleans. It promises to be an afternoon "wet with excitement" for this meet and greet along with food and freebies. You can also see photos of the krewe's Ball One: "Reflections."

Lords of Leather 34th Rush Party March 6 @ Phoenix Bar If you attended the Lords of Leather’s Bal Masque XXXIII and liked what you saw, you may want to consider joining this creative and fun-loving group. They are beginning their 34th year of “Leather, Love and Laughter” as a leather-oriented Mardi Gras krewe and are hosting their 2016 Rush Party on Sunday, March 6th from 3-5pm at the Phoenix Bar at 941 Elysian Fields Avenue. Food will be provided. Come socialize with the krewe and check out the opportunities to participate in an organization which builds community throughout the year and

8 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om GayMardiGras.c

Till next time dahlings, I’m Felicia Phillips, The Cheese Queen of New Orleans!!!

Long Simmons: “Black History Month…an opportunity to intensify our efforts to end racism” WASHINGTON, DC — To celebrate Black History Month, the National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund released the following statement: “Black History Month is an opportunity to intensify our efforts to end racism once and for all. We do not live in a post racial nation; racism is real and its effects are devastating. In light of the murders of young Black and Brown men and women, and particularly transgender women of color, we must urgently tackle the structural issues that underlie these senseless killings. We all must do more. Congress must act by passing meaningful legislation that tackles racial profiling by police. It must restore the Voting Rights Act — especially as we approach arguably the most important general election in our nation’s history. We need economic justice and fundamental reforms to our criminal justice system. If we work harder together with open hearts and minds we can relegate racism and racial injustice to the trash can of history,” said Stacey Long Simmons, Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs, National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund. The National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund works to secure full freedom, justice and equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people. For over forty years, we have been at the forefront of the social justice movement by training thousands of organizers and advocating for change at the federal, state, and local level. www.thetaskforceactionfund.org.

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 9

under the gaydar by Tony Leggio Email: ledgemgp@gmail.com Photo by: Larry Graham

Book of the Month I have to say I love a great scary novel. Most horror writers deal with the supernatural, but my author for the month of February brings a great and heart-pounding slasher story to life. Joy Fielding’s Shadow Creek is a wonderful read that will keep you up at night. Soon-to-be-divorced Valerie and her oddball friends, Melissa and James (wonderfully fun gay character) along with her moody teenage daughter, Brianne; and Val’s estranged husband’s fiancée, Jennifer find themselves unlikely traveling companions on a camping trip in the Adirondacks. What Val and her group don’t know is that a pair of crazed killers is wreaking havoc in the very same woods. When an elderly couple is found slaughtered and Brianne goes missing, Val finds herself in a nightmare much worse than anything she could have anticipated. She was half-expecting it to be the trip from hell, but what she never could have predicted was that this impromptu little excursion would become an all-out struggle for survival. Fielding builds powerful characters while combining elements of mystery into the plotline. You are never really sure who exactly is doing the killing until almost the end. As our heroes slowly are drawn closer to the brutal killers, the novel picks up suspense making you care about what happens to everyone in the storyline, both the main protagonist and the secondary characters. I read this novel in two seatings. Shadow Creek is the first novel I have read by Fielding and look forward to checking out her other books. If you want a great read that will have you leaving the lights on and being spooked by things that go bump in the night, this is your novel. For more information on Joy Fielding, go to www.joyfielding.com.

Movie Review: Southbound As you are so well aware if you read my column, I adore scary movies. I am the ultimate scream queen and have found a new gem of a movie named Southbound that has opened in NOLA at the Zeitgeist Multi-Disciplinary Arts Center (1618 Oretha Castel Haley Blvd.) on February 12. Southbound was an Official Selection of 2015 Toronto International Film Festival,

2015 Sitges Film Festival, 2015 Film Society of Lincoln Center, 2015 Fantastic Fest and 2015 AFI FEST. The anthology is broken up into five short stories that interweave together as travelers confront their worst nightmares (and darkest secrets) over one long, night on a desolate stretch of desert highway. The movie is not short on gore and thrills as it amps up the creepiness factor with each story. The movie starts right out of the chute guns blazing with Mitch and Jack who are on the run from something heinous that has just happened when they turn up, blood-splattered, at a lonely roadside diner. These two guys are trying to escape from these very spooky floating supernatural creatures. The stories all have an interlocking theme of guilt and redemption. Each of the main characters are trying to right some transgression from their past that has led them to this point. The road is their version of hell. The second story is about an all-girl rock group called Siren must rely on the kindness of strangers when their tour van breaks down at the side of the road. The seemingly normal couple that offers them a ride turns out to be Satanists. It is a definite throwback to those cultist movies of the seventies in its feel and one of my favorite of the five segments. The next one is the bloodiest and a raw edge of your seat rollercoaster ride as a harried business-man is desperate for help from an unusual 911 operator in the aftermath of a car accident. This is undoubtedly the strongest entry into the anthology. Next up a frantic gunman bursts into a bar demanding to know the whereabouts of a girl in a photograph. And the film ends with all hell breaking loose when masked men interrupt a family vacation. This segment also spins the film around to connect with the first story although not as satisfyingly as I would have hoped. It still left lots of questions unanswered. In fact the film does not answer many of the questions in each segment outright; it is left to the viewer’s own interpretation.

The acting was excellent as each of the main characters portrayed the fear and desperation of their situation. Southbound moves at a fast pace which is great and a great entry into this style of movies. It was produced by anthology veteran Roxanne Benjamin (V/H/S, V/H/S/ 2), who also makes her own assured directorial debut here alongside directors Patrick Horvath (The Pact 2) and V/H/S collaborators Radio Silence and David Bruckner.

Hot Happenings Carnival was here! And was it a quick season this year, so many balls, parades and parties all packed into a little over one month. But as we count down to the bug day, here are just a few of the hot happenings. Tuesday – Sunday, February 16 – 21, 2016 Let’s get kinky at The Saenger Theatre (1111 Canal Street). KINKY BOOTS is the exhilarating Broadway musical that will lift your spirits to new high-heeled heights. Winner of 6 Tony Awards® including Best Musical, this inspirational story follows a struggling shoe factory owner who works to turn his business around with help from Lola, a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Together, this unlikely pair finds that they have more in common than they ever dreamed possible… proving that when you

change your mind about someone, you can change your whole world. Inspired by a true story, KINKY BOOTS features a joyous, Tony®-winning score by Cyndi Lauper, direction and Tonywinning choreography by Jerry Mitchell and a hilarious, uplifting book by fourtime Tony winner Harvey Fierstein. This new musical is the winner of 6 Tony Awards® including Best Musical and Best Original Score and has the biggest heart on Broadway. Showtimes are Tuesday through Thursday and Sunday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2pm. For tickets and more information, go to www.saengernola.com. Thursday, February 18, 2016 Mardi Gras may be over but the sordid times do not end. Come out and see DEL SHORES SINgularly SORDID at the Allways Lounge (2240 St Claude Ave). Del Shores, the creator of Sordid Lives the hit comedy film from 2000, is back with all new hysterical, sordid stories. Del discusses the unexpected comedy of returning to the world of dating after divorce in your 50s. Tinder, Grindr, Scruff, OkCupid—oh, sh*t, sometimes it’s just too damn much! He shares a litany of bad dates and the trials and tribulations of being on the prowl again when you are a “minor gay celebrity”. The censors will be absent; [continued on 18]

Let us show c ase y o u r B RA N D! as low as $113 per issue (Contact Rip: ripna@ambushmag.com or 504.522.8049)

10 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 11

Krewe of Amon-Ra 52nd Mardi Gras Ball: Everything That Glitters Isn't Gold... In The Garden of Good & Evil ~ New Orleans

paparazzi

12 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om

~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys, Paul Melancon

snap

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 13

paparazzi

14 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om

Krewe of Armeinius Bal Masque XLVIII: Beauty & The Beast ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys

snap

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 15

Best of Show winnning $1,000

snap paparazzi

Best Leather winning $1,000

Best Drag winning $1,000

16 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om

52nd Bourbon Street Awards hosted by Oz & Sponsored by Ambush, Winners take home $8,000 Cash ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys

Best Overall winning $4,000 & Best Group winning $1,000

29th Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss led by King Cake Queen XXII Aubrey Synclaire ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys, Darwin Reed

snap

paparazzi

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 17

under the gaydar ...from 10 F bombs will fly and if you are easily offended—stay home. For more information, go to www.DELSHORES.TIX.COM. Saturday, February 20, 2016 The cast of EXOTIQUE presents the very first “Miss EXOTIQUE Pageant 2016” at the Four Seasons (3229 N. Causeway Blvd.) starting at 9pm. This new pageant is sure to be entertaining. The theme for this very first Miss EXOTIQUE Pageant is “Exotic wonders of the world." Categories and guidelines include Presentation: (Costume yourself as exotic as possible and have a 30 second introduction prepared letting us know who you are, what exotic creature or thing you are, and why you should be chosen Miss EXOTIQUE 2016.) Talent: (one number up to 5 minutes long. You may sing live or lip sync. You may not have any other people with you on stage during your talent. You may not leave the stage. You may not accept tips.) Evening Wear: Gowns must be at least to your ankles. Your gown can have slits. You may have a train. The winner will receive a brand new tiara, sash, $100 cash, and a permanent spot in the EXOTIQUE show cast, a beautiful floral bouquet, and more prizes to be announced. (1st runner up: $50 cash prize and a floral bouquet). If you are interested in being a contestant contact via messenger at John Joseph Delgadillo or email at cuttingedgediva@yahoo.com. Saturday, February 20, 2016 Join Cutter’s (706 Franklin Ave.) for the February edition of Unleashed starting at 10pm. This month’s show features an even wider variety of performers than past shows such joining your host Jack Inman. The cast includes Monique Michaels Alexander, Christy LaRitz, Reverend Syd, Lady Godiva, Ben Hively and Michael. Something for everyone- guaranteed! Never a cover. Cheap drinks. Friendly faces. Tuesday, February 23, 2016 Join The Country Club (634 Louisa St.) for DRAG DINNER starring your host Nicole Lynn Foxx, emcee Persana Shoulders, Taz-Ya Ballz and Karli LaCorre! The dinner also features $10 BOTTOMLESS red or white house wine. The show starts at 7pm. To make your dinner reservation, call 504.945.0742. Saturday, February 27, 2016 SweetArts 2016 is a prelude to the Contemporary Arts Center’s 40th anniversary season. The event pays homage to the art, culture, and energy of the decade in which the CAC was founded—the 1970’s. Get your tickets now to this incredible event. Here is the schedule:

6:30pm–8pm SweetArts Patron Party - Champagne bar provided by Grand Krewe, 70s inspired cuisine by Palate New Orleans, A toast to our 2016 SweetArts Honorees and VIP Patron Lounge open throughout the evening 8pm–11pm SweetArts Main Event - Disco Throwback with Anaïs St. John Join one of our city’s premiere jazz vocalists for an unforgettable night of dancing to 70s soul and disco hits. This high energy dance show will take you back to the days when Disco reigned supreme and Donna Summer was the Queen, In the CAC Galleries Last chance to view Jacqueline Humphries and James Hoff: B=R=I=C=K=I=N=G exhibitions and Open Bar and Cuisine by Audubon Caterers, Blue Crab, Brennan’s,Green to Go, Marie’s Fleur de Lis Catering, Napoleon House, Nirvana, Reginelli’s, Wayfare . 9pm–11pm SweetArts Late Night Party - DJ set by Bouffant Bouffant, Food Trucks, Open Bar, and Dessert The CAC is located at 900 Camp Street. For tickets, go to www.cacno.org. Sunday February 28, 2016 Come to The Country Club’s red carpet in your finest gowns and fancy duds for the annual Oscar Night Party starting at 6pm. Print and fill out this ballot with your name on it and your winner guesses filled in for each category: http://cdn.media.abc.com/m/ oscar2016/2016_oscar_ballot.pdf. Come in OSCAR NIGHT and give it to the bartender no later than 5pm, then at 6pm, enjoy the show! At the end we’ll announce the person with the most correct winner guesses, and s/he will WIN AN ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP TO THE COUNTRY CLUB! (a $299 value!). You must be present to win. The Country Club is located at 634 Louisa Street. Friday, March 4, 2016 Fashion Group International (FGI) is proud to announce their first annual Spotlight Gala at The House of Broel (2220 St. Charles Ave.) from 7:3010pm. The gala is being held to honor the inaugural group of FGI members who have been recognized (“spotlighted”) as industry leaders in their respective fields. The first five Spotlight award recipients are Suzanne Perron (gown designer), Steven Forster (photographer), Lucille McDonnell (philanthropist and retail buyer), Bonnie Broel (designer and curator of House of Broel), and Mignon Faget (jewelry designer). Guests can expect to enjoy entertainment by renowned host and Master of Ceremonies, Irvin Mayfield, living legend in the music industry. Patrons will also be catered to with food and drink courtesy of House of Broel and FGI. The goal of FGI is to bring the business of Fashion to a forefront in the New Orleans community. This is ac-

complished through hosting public forums, events, social hours, and workshops to promote, educate, and appreciate different areas of interest within the fashion apparel, home, accessories, and beauty communities in New Orleans and worldwide. For more information on FGI, how to become a member, and other exciting upcoming events please contact fashiongroupneworleans@gmail.com, or visit their website at neworleansprovisional.fgi.org.

Party Down Only two need to be said to describe my last two weeks – Wild Ride! Mardi Gras came quickly this year with all the revelry and grandeur. Even though I was not quite ready for it, I soldiered on and turned it into one of the best years to date. The first week was devoted to work. I had lots of events happening, so my partying did not start until Saturday when I attended the Petronius Ball at the Carver Theatre. Petronius’ theme this year was Gay, Glitz and Glamour and that is just what this amazing krewe of talented individuals served up. From start to finish they delivered a fierce show filled with fun and flirty costumes and great performances. All of the outfits were wonderful but I just adored Jake Thomas’ (the president of the krewe) Gay Pride tuxedo and back piece; and a special congratulation goes out to King Nick and Queen Kitty D’Litter. The following day I spent working at one of the city’s newest festival. Only three years old, the King Cake Festival held at Champion Square has taken the city by storm celebrating our favorite sweet. There was an array of different bakeries offering samples and full cakes to the over ten thousand people in attendance. I was able to get my favorite guilty pleasure there – the King Cake Hamburger. I only have this decadent sandwich once a year, but it is so worth the wait. I love the Food Drunk (the name of the truck that serves this fine meal year round). Afterwards I headed to the Lords of Leather Royalty Party at the Ruby Slipper in the Marigny, which was the location of the first Lords of Leather Ball thirty three years prior. Royalty from other krewes as well as Lords members both past and present came out to show their support. The captain of the organization’s first ball was even there. It was a wonderful way to enjoy the season and the krewe as well as learn about the group’s past in a very unique location. Not to mention the food there was delicious. The following week was another busy one, starting on Wednesday with taking clients (who also happen to be friends) to dinner at the fantastic newly opened Fogo De Chao located in the JW Marriott Hotel on Canal Street. I have eaten at this Brazilian steakhouse in other cities and was beyond excited

18 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om

when I discovered they were opening one down here. I am happy to say that it was an excellent dining experience from the atmosphere to the service. And the food was a meat lover’s dream. It is definitely worth checking out. We worked dinner off by catching the Druids and Nyx parades, then we were on Bourbon Street to the Oz for their Wednesday Mardi Gras Drag Show special. With Persana Shoulders at the helm emceeing, the evening was raucous fun. All the girls brought their best out for the packed, exuberant crowd. Oz has amped up the volume and is now one of the hottest ways to spend Hump Day. On Thursday I attended the Steamboat Club’s Mardi Gras party at GrandPre’s. The Steamboat Club is the second oldest gay social organization founded in 1953. Still going strong, the club held their annual Carnival event at the Rampart Street hotspot. It was a large crowd as people dined, drank and enjoyed hanging out with friends both old and new. My long Mardi Gras weekend started on Friday with the Friday Night Before Mardi Gras Ball at the Cannery. The FNBMG is a costumed dance party that raises funds for LGBT organizations. What a night it turned out to be. The costumes were full force fabulous and the DJ rocked the house with some incredible tunes. My friend Laura and I spent most of the night on the dance floor. This is one of the best parties in the city. You can never forget when it is, hint it is in their name. Afterwards we had a nightcap at one of my favorite neighborhood bars, The Friendly Bar, before calling it a night. On Saturday I had the special honor to be asked to do a costume at one of my favorite balls of the year, Armeinius. The theme was Beauty and the Beast so every member came out as duos. Even though I was filling in for someone who was unable to participate this year, I gave it my all doing a number with the talented Joel who was the Apollo to my Daphne. I had an absolute blast. It had been three years since I have been part of a krewe and it was exhilarating. The entire ball was filled with spectacular costumes such as the Kraken and Merman, the Spider and Little Miss Muffet and Esmerelda and the Hunchback. Congratulations to Scott Spivey and John Pfeifer who were a wonderful Beauty and the Beast. And special shout out to Nick Shackelford who blew the National Anthem and the theme song from Beauty and the Beast out of the Park. Also Varla Jean was quite the hostess this year emceeing both the Petronius and Armeinius balls. You can always tell when it is a great ball when everyone stays afterwards to celebrate. They had to literally kick people out of the Sigur Center in Chalmette. Sunday was the last of the gay balls, the Lords of Leather at the Alario Center in Westwego. Bianca del Rio [continued on 20]

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 19

a community within communities by The Rev. Bill Terry, Rector St. Anna’s Episcopal Church, New Orleans Email: fr.bill@stannanola.org

Beyond Ash Wednesday Apparently, I am told, there is a core of loyal readers of this column. Are ya sure it’s not the ads next to the column? My o my those are some boys and girls aren’t they?! If you are a loyal reader or perhaps not, the last column offered some alternatives to the common conceptions and misconceptions about Ash Wednesday, otherwise known in New Orleans as “I can’t believe that I did that! “Day, or, “Who are you and when did we meet?” Day. I asked all to have a safe Mardi Gras and indeed to begin your Lent early by offering hope and even recognizing our connections to each other and indeed to the universe. That was then and now it is about two weeks later. The beads are still hanging in the trees, some Mardi Gras faces are still hanging from a few balconies and everyone is ready, perhaps even excited about… wait for it. ST. JOSEPH’S DAY! Or, ST. PATRICK’S DAY! Uh, it’s Lent people. You say that you know this and you don’t believe in “organized religion” so you don’t go to church but you are going to give up___________ for Lent. Lent, like Ash Wednesday, is quickly becoming a cultural holiday: a time to take that extra 5 pounds off, quit smoking, cut back on drinking or even god-forbid, eat only seafood on Fridays. Now that last one is a real test isn’t it? The point here is that “organized religion” has done harm but not always. Organized religion has caused wars, but not always. Organized religion has stolen from the poor to make a few rich, but not always. Organized religion has altered cultures in ways that have hurt, but not always. Organized religion is responsible for some of the great philosophies like Ockham’s razor. He was a 14th Century Franciscan Monk. Many of the early public hospitals in this country were founded and staffed by religious. In the Episcopal Church a priest by the name of Augustus Muhlenberg founded a “free hospital” in New York, St. Luke’s and staffed with Nuns from the Episcopal Church. He founded several schools to address the needs of at risk children in and around Long Island; again populated by Episcopal Nuns. He did this in the early 19th Century. He was a strong proponent of “The Social Gospel” encouraging advocacy for workers. Dorthy Day was an icon of the workers movement in the U.S. advocating for just pay for wages. Organized religion is as much a mixed bag as any institution or group. Are all gay men sissies? Nope. Are all lesbians butches? Nope. Is every gay man a hair dresser or decorator? Nope. Generalizations are dangerous things. I will give readers this: organized religion in the name of God have bashed and even caused death to LGBT members. But, there is and always was a fringe or margin that advocated for LGBT community. Louie Crew was a voice for gay rights both in government and the church very shortly after Stonewall. The MCC played a very public role when the Upstairs Lounge Fire took place standing against the likes of local Archbishops and Bishops. There has always been a place and voice for us. Yes, there are still plenty of hypocrites

around spouting off “biblical” admonitions. I want to assure anyone willing to hear – they are operating out of ignorance, or fear, or any number of phobias. It is that simple. It is not biblical, its tyrannical and to my mind heretical. Now why is “organized religion” of value even to the disenfranchised? First, the disenfranchised are becoming enfranchised. Next, “organized religion” at least in some context provides for a community that shares ideals like charity, hope, faith, and establish a way for that community to bear each other’s burdens. Things are changing and you are needed. You who have hated the haters… we need the lovers. You who have been cast into ghettos and hunted, we need your stories. You who have been mocked and spit upon, you bear witness to cruelty. We need you. We need you this Lenten Season. This is the Season of Reconciliation, this is the Season of gathering in, the season of listening. We so desperately need you. Why? Because our savior was humiliated; our God was spat upon; our God was dragged through the streets and laughed at; our God was hunted down; our God was, like some of you, crucified. So, when a bible thumping hypocrite begins to start his or her crap up just remember that your God has all of this in common with you and very little in common with them. It is Lent and time to remember why and what this is all about. It is not about fasting in a traditional sense. It is about fasting from hate, fasting from hurt, fasting from prejudice, fasting from all of those burdens that weigh us down. I have said it before and will again, on behalf of the Church that I am a part of we and I am sorry. On behalf of the Gospel that I read and the savior that I love, we are sorry. Yet, we invite and encourage you to make something more of this Lent than an excuse to lose five

under the gaydar ...from 18 once again shined as emcee keeping the audience laughing at her wicked tongue. The Krewe ‘s theme this year revolved around travel. They brought us to many exotic places, I especially loved Moscow. Kudos to the royalty was a vision in Rio. Lundi Gras is becoming just as big a party as Fat Tuesday. I attended the Fat Monday Luncheon at Arnaud’s. The fat Monday Luncheon started humbly by Bob Demmons who was entertaining out-of-town friends at Mardi Gras in 1949. In the early 1970s, Bob Demmons died, so his good friend Jim Wynne took over the duties of coordinating the traditional Queen’s Luncheon on the day before Mardi Gras. In the early ’80s, Wynne decided to approach Arnaud’s Restaurant and the rest as they say is history. Each year two queens are crowned, “An Out-of-Town Queen and a Town Queen.” And, in the The Queen’s Pen ancient spirit of Mardi Gras mockery, a number of participants are singled out for dubious distinction “awards.” All are humorous and most are ribald, such as the Drag Queen Award and the Size Queen Award. This luncheon is so much fun and a great way to spend the afternoon in the Quarter. There is delectable cuisine and lots of cocktails. My table even one the best cheerleader award. I was able to use my pompoms later that night at the Orpheus Parade. It was quite the long day, after lunch, the group second lined to Good Friends Bar, where I had a few more cocktails on the balcony before doing a costume change and heading out to Albert Carey’s house for an Orpheus gathering. Martinis and red beans was in the menu for the evening which was perfect fare when waiting for a parade that took forever getting there. But it was worth the wait, the floats were gorgeous this year. But I called it an early pounds or to quit smoking. You need to do that any way. We invite and indeed need you to join us this Lent. Join the real Jesus believers. You can find us around. Ask Mike McDonald my dear friend about his faith and his steadfast solidarity with MCC. Ask Don Dubay or Rusty about their faith and steadfast solidarity with St. Anna’s. Ask Luigi who had quit the church and wanted nothing to do with it but discovered new faith and freedom to love and to be who he is. The list is exhaustive but all share this in common. We believe first in love and the source of that love is found beyond us, the collective us, it is found in the Universe in God and in, we believe, his son: that same person who shares so much with so many who are marginalized. Lent is the prime time to rediscover our own short comings our own missteps and to begin to move toward a fuller life. Really friends, the party is not over, in Lent it has just begun.

20 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om

night, which for me means before midnight. Fat Tuesday was a flurry of activity starting with Daryl Dunaway coming over to my house at 8am to transform me into Mother Nature, a take-off on my Daphne costume from the ball. I need to send big thanks out to Countess C. Alice who not only did my makeup, but helped create my ensemble for the Armeinius Ball (the talented Krewe with special note to Chad made my back piece). She is a truly one of the hardest working people in the drag community and even though she is not a member of a krewe, she still manages to find time to help everyone when asked. So I thank you from the bottom of my heart. After I got made up, I went to Laura Tennyson’s home for a Mardi Gras pre-St. Ann breakfast. Her husband Gary is an excellent chef and he had chicken and waffles, salmon, grits, biscuits, sausage and an array of tasty treats. I carbed up for a day of hard drinking and went off into the Quarter. I stopped at the Golden Lantern just in time to catch Pete Fountain’s Half Ass Marching Parade. Next stop it was off to the Bourbon Street Awards which was so much fun. I loved all the costumes and everyone had a blast. I was so happy to see Armeinius win especially Jobie’s Little Miss Muffet which was hysterical, Josh’s Kick Ass Spider and the boys Beau and Barrett taking home the top prize as Kraken and Merman. (And just a side note, to several of the judges who I watched giving low scores to great costumes, try not to let your personal feelings for a krewe or a person cloud your judgment. Judge the costume not the individual. If you can’t then you should not be on that balcony. Green is only a good color on me.) After the contest I went to the Gay Mardi Gras Bead Toss to see Aubrey Synclaire do a little Déjà Vu. Even with pressing family matters, Rip and Marsh created a wonderful party. Aubrey and her entourage looked lovely as usual. As always the drinks were plentiful and the food outstanding. I had such a blast hanging out with so many friends away from the chaos of the streets. Afterwards, one of my favorite people and I decided to do an impromptu bar crawl/ party hop. We stopped at my friend Randy and Brian’s home on Bourbon Street for a little libations and merriment before doing twirls at Oz (which was crazy busy), the Pub, Good Friends, Lafitte’s in Exile and the Golden Lantern. I thought me in drag was a force to be reckoned with, team me up with Felicia and it is like letting Hedda Hopper and Louella Parsons loose on the city. But alas all good things must come to an end and I was home and in bed by 10pm. I would like to thank everyone one of the krewes for making this Mardi Gras a good year for gay balls as well as all the parties, events and parades. Now onto St. Patrick’s Day!

ambush

Lords of Leather Bal Masque XXXIII: There's No Cure Like Travel ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys

paparazzi

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 21

ambush

Mardi Gras thru the Eyes of Hubert S Monkeys! ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Hubert S Monkeys

paparazzi

22 • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • GayEast erParade.c om • GayMar diGras.c om

trodding the boards by Brian Sands

Email: bsnola2@hotmail.com

You Don’t Know the Half of It at Le Petit Theatre (ongoing) Four years ago, Cecile Monteyne wondered what would happen if she could get folks from the theater world together with those from the improvisational comedy realm on one stage. She decided she would ask writers to create short, two-character scenes and then give one character’s lines to one actor and the other’s to another actor. The catch? Neither actor sees the entire script, just his or her own lines. On the night of the show, they’re each then paired with an improviser and the scene plays out twice with the audience hearing both parts but done separately, the improvisors providing the other half of the scenes. Ask four writers for scripts and, voila!, there’re eight scenes. Last month, You Don’t Know the Half of It celebrated its fourth anniversary with a mobbed house at Le Petit Theatre. I had never seen any of its previous editions and wasn’t sure what to expect. It seemed like the actors would have the upper hand. After all, they just had to memorize their lines. BUT they don’t know their cues, and the improvisor can take the scene in a different direction from where it should be going leaving the actor to recalibrate the delivery of certain lines as nimbly as possible. I was told by one actor it was “the scariest thing I had ever done.” As it turned out, it was an evening of silly fun with skits dealing with a sky diving experience, a reality show featuring astronauts, an alien abduction, and a parent explaining the facts of life to her child. At least, that’s what I think the original scripts were about. Some seemed to offer better material than others or, rather, when halved still allowed the gist of the story to come through. But heavy drama is not wanted or expected at YDKTHOI and half the fun of the show is seeing how far things can go off track. Four experienced actors (Lance Nichols, Sean Patterson, Jessica Podewell, Amanda Zirkenbach), however, insured that the playlets always had a sense of cohesion; even when Emily Slazer made some daring choices, Patterson followed her into unexpected territory and they pulled off their scene with panache. If Slazer was first among equals, the other improvisers (Grace Blakeman, Derek Dupuy, Mike Spara) all kept things intelligent and lively. In fact, while a greater ethnic diversity among the talent might have added some extra sparks on stage, the only significant criticism one can offer is that some

passages were so funny that the audience’s laughter covered ensuing lines. Future performers (the talent only ever appears in one YDKTHOI) should be advised to take that into account. In between scenes, the crack You Don’t Know the Band! offered old songs with newly re-written lyrics that kept the evening’s improvisatory nature front and center. The next You Don’t Know the Half of It will be on April 17. I’m not sure where New Orleans’ only half-scripted, half-improvised show will be yet, but for a highly enjoyable, unique experience, plan to be there wherever it is.

Coming Soon With 2016’s fabulous Mardi Gras now seeming like a distant dream, entertainment will return indoors from the greatest free show on earth’s theater of the streets. And between now and the next big event here, St. Patrick’s Day, there’ll be lots of worthy options to choose from. Melissa Etheridge comes to the Orpheum on February 24 with her This is M.E. Solo tour. This Grammy and Academy Award winner has been hailed as “one of rock’s great voices” but on this tour she displays her instrumental abilities playing acoustic and electric guitars (11 of them ring her on stage), piano and harmonica. Classic hits like Come to My Window and I Want to Come Over alternate with new songs like Ain’t That Bad proving she hasn’t lost her rock n’ roll touch. With singing called “heartfelt and raw” and a voice that’s been compared to a “heartache-evoking rasp”, one critic said “This woman can do anything.” If you haven’t gotten tickets yet to see this revered singer and GLBT activist/ icon, go to orpheumnola.com or call 504.274.4870. You’ll be happy you did. Dina Martina returns to New Orleans on February 27 at Café Istanbul. I hadn’t been familiar with Dina before she appeared here last year; from her posters she looked like a berserk clown crossed with a demented housewife. Who knew what her act would be like? She soon had me grinning like a fool, though, with her surreal tales, madcap theories of how we can save

the planet, and loopy videos. She may describe herself as a “tragic singer, horrible dancer and surreal raconteur” but behind her stop-sign red gash of a mouth and bushy jet-black mop of hair is a sophisticated and witty mind that combines a free-spirited faux naif persona, out-there humor, and subversive wit into a wonderfully weird, transgressive show. Last year’s show at One Eyed Jacks was packed; I imagine Café Istanbul will be the same way. Also coming to Café Istanbul is Have Strings, Will Swing! which features the lactose intolerant jazz violin virtuoso and humorist Aaron Weinstein who’ll present his unique brand of swinging jazz standards with a healthy dose of sly wit. You can see the entertainer who Tony Bennett called “the Groucho of the violin” on March 10. On a more serious note, the New Orleans Opera Association presents Dead Man Walking at the Mahalia Jackson Theater on March 4 and 6. Based on Sister Helen Prejean’s 1993 account of her work on death row at the Louisiana State Penitentiary, since its premiere in 2000, this opera has become a staple of the 21st century repertoire. Though some critics have had reservations about Jake Heggie’s score, others have championed its “expressive splendor”. Terrence McNally’s work, however, has received universal praise for his “craftily plotted libretto, which deals less with the politics of capital punishment than with personal issues of forgiveness, retribution and redemption” as Peter G. Davis wrote in New York Magazine. Michael Mayes stars in the title role in a performance that was called “nothing short of phenomenal, a feral but emotionally vulnerable characterization given voice in robust and impeccably controlled singing” when he appeared in the opera last year in San Francisco. Another Louisiana-centric work returns to The Theatre at St. Claude through February 29. Be A New Orleanian: A Swearing In Ceremony offers six broad topics that range from “Put On Costumes” to “Indulge” through which Jim Fitzmorris takes us on a whirlwind tour of the mythology of the city, the do’s and don’t’s that separate locals from tourists and arrivistes, “NPR soulville cliches” from “spooky voodooville” authenticity. By the end of this hour-long one man show, Fitzmorris has lovingly demonstrated that, despite its flaws, “You live in the best place in the world.” Also running through Feb. 28 is Jungle Kings at the Anthony Bean Community Theater. Rain Denise Wilson’s drama explores the inner workings of the mind of 25-year-old Jason Watts, incarcerated since the age of 15, and the battle that takes place for his soul just days before his parole board hearing. Robert DoQui directs a

cast headed by Martin “Bats” Bradford, Sam Malone, Damien Moses, three of this city’s most exciting actors, in what will be ABCT’s last production at 1333 South Carrollton Ave., its home for the past 15 years. Southern Rep will debut in its new home at UNO’s spacious Robert E. Nims Theatre with Orpheus Descending, Tennessee Williams’ re-imagining of the Orpheus myth, in which enigmatic young musician Val arrives in a backwards Southern town with his guitar, a snakeskin jacket, and a mysterious past. Jef Hall-Flavin, whose work I admired as part of the Tennessee Williams Festival’s Hotel Plays, directs the production which plays March 9April 3. The NOLA Project moves into Southern Rep’s old home at Ashé Power House Theater for Sive, a dark and powerful story of greed and passion in which an orphaned girl of 17 is sent to live with her deceased mother’s brother and his calculating wife. When a town matchmaker brings news of an offer for a great deal of money in exchange for young Sive’s hand in marriage to the 70-year-old Seán Dóta, the family must make a painful decision. Alex Ates directs Kristin Witterschein, Alex Martinez Wallace, A.J. Allegra, James Bartelle, Ron Gural, John Grimsley, and Janet Shea in this 1959 drama by Irish playwright John B. Keane. (March 10-26) On a much lighter note, “Uncle” Wayne Daigrepont directs the farce The Amorous Ambassador for Jefferson Performing Arts Society across the river at their Teatro Wego! beginning on February 19 and continuing through March 6. Complications ensue when the new American Ambassador to Great Britain tells his family he is going to Scotland to play golf, his wife & daughter announce weekend plans of their own, and then each returns secretly to the Embassy for a romantic rendezvous. Also running Feb. 19-Mar. 6 on the West Bank, but at the newly refurbished Gretna Community Center for the Arts (formerly the old Gretna post office), is the Claire Boothe Luce classic The Women which features a cast of over 40 actresses. Dane Cook and Sandy Bravender direct Andrea Watson, Margeaux Fanning, Ashton Akridge and Kathryn Talbot among many others. A pre-show buffet is also available. And William Finn’s beloved The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee comes to Rivertown Theaters, March 4-20, directed by Christopher Bentivenga. Can you spell F-UN?

Pre-Easter DEADLINE: Feb. 23

504.522.8049

Sout hernDec adenc e.c om • Feb. 16-29, 2016 • Facebook.com/ AmbushMag • The Official Mag© © : AmbushMag.com • 23

RAWHIDE 2010, 740 Burgundy St., 525.8106, Rawhide2010.COM TROPICAL ISLE: Home of the Hand Grenade, 721 Bourbon St., 529.4109, TropicalIsle.COM VOODOO LOUNGE, 718 N. Rampart, 265.0953

CANAL STREET

100 IBERVILLE

200 BIENVILLE

300

Slidell, LA [985] BILLY'S, 2600 Hwy. 190 West, 847.1921

500 TOULOUSE

600

RAMPART

ST. LOUIS

BURGUNDY

400

DAUPHINE

ROYAL

CHARTES

DECATUR

CONTI

BOURBON

ST. PETER ORLEANS ST. ANN

900

chiropractic

1000 URSULINES

1100 GOVERNOR NICHOLLS

1200 BARRACKS

1300

classifieds

ESPLANADE

1800

23 00 ES TR R A CH

24 00

FR 2 AN 500 KL L 26 00 IN YA O R E LO IN UI PH SA U DA

19 00

EN 200 0 C EL H YS 210 ME 0 N IA N FI 22 EL 00 D S RT PA M RA

New Orleans, LA [504] Troy A. Tureau, J.D., L.LM., Attorney at Law, Tureau Legal, 4631 S. Carrolton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70119, 504.308.1608 thelawprofessor@comcast.net

bars Mobile, AL [251] B-Bob's Downtown, 213 Conti St., 433.2262, B-Bobs.COM Flip Side Bar & Patio, 54 S. Conception St., 431.8819, FlipSideBarPatio.COM GABRIEL'S DOWNTOWN, 55 South Joachim St., 432.4900 THE MIDTOWN PUB, 153 Florida St., 450.1555 Pensacola, FL [850] EMERALD CITY, 408 E. Wright St., 433.9491, EmeraldCityPensacola.COM THE ROUNDUP, 560 East Heinberg St., 433.8482 Baton Rouge, LA [225] GEORGE'S, 860 St. Louis, 387.9798, SPLASH, 2183 Highland Rd., 242.9491, SplashBR.COM Lake Charles, LA [337] CRYSTAL'S, 112 W. Broad, 433.5457

New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MICHAEL LECHLEITER, D.C., 1526 Magazine, 566.1833 [is1915]

circuit/events Feb. 5-9, 2016, 67th Official Gay Mardi Gras, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush, GayMardiGras.com Easter Sunday, March 27, 2016, 17th Official Gay Easter Parade, New Orleans, sponsored by Ambush, GayEasterParade.com Aug. 31-Sept. 5, 2016, 45th Official Southern Decadence Celebration of Gay Life, Music & Culture, end of Summer Blowout including the Southern Decadence Parade & loads of activities, bringing over 180,000 revelers to New Orleans, LA, sponsored by Ambush & SouthernDecadence.com Oct. 27-Oct. 30, 2016 Halloween 33, benefiting Project Lazarus, New Orleans, LA, sponsored by AmbushMag.COM, HalloweenNewOrleans.com Dec. 26, 2015-Jan. 1, 2017 Gay New Year's in New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, GayNewOrleans.com

costumes

French Quarter/Faubourg Marigny/Bywater

attorneys

bookstores New Orleans, LA [504] FAB - Faubourg Marigny Art & Books, 600 Frenchmen St., 947.3700

ST. PHILIP

Houston, TX [713] NEON BOOTS DANCEHALL & SALOON, 11410 Hempstead Hwy., 677.0828, www.neonbootsclub.com

800 DUMAINE

Biloxi, MS [228] CLUB VEAUX, 834 Howard Ave., 207.3271

Metairie, LA [504] FOUR SEASONS & PATIO STAGE BAR, 3229 N. Causeway, 832.0659, FourSeasonsBar.com New Orleans, LA [504] 700 CLUB, 700 Burgundy, 561.1095, BIG DADDY'S, 2513 Royal, 948.6288 THE BLACK PENNY, 700 N. Rampart BOURBON PUB & PARADE, 801 Bourbon St., 529.2107, BourbonPub.COM CAFÉ LAFITTE IN EXILE, 901 Bourbon Street 522.8397, Lafittes.COM CORNER POCKET, 940 St. Louis, 568.9829, CornerPocket.NET COUNTRY CLUB, 634 Louisa St., TheCountryClubNewOrleans.COM, 945.0742 CUTTER'S, 706 Franklin, 948.4200 THE DOUBLE PLAY, 439 Dauphine, 523.4517 THE FRIENDLY BAR, 2301 Chartres, 943.8929 GOLDEN LANTERN, 1239 Royal, 529.2860, Facebook.COM/GoldenLanternBar GOOD FRIENDS BAR, 740 Dauphine St, 566.7191, GoodFriendsBar.COM GRANDPRE'S, 834 N. Rampart St., 267.3615, Facebook.com/grandpres KAJUN'S PUB, 2256 St. Claude Ave., 947.3735, KajunPub.COM OZ NEW ORLEANS, 800 Bourbon, 593.9491, OzNewOrleans. COM PHOENIX/EAGLE, 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264, www.phoenixbarnola.com

New Orleans, LA [504] QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633

florists Baton Rouge, LA [225] FOUR SEASONS FLOWERS & GIFTS, 3482 Drusilla Ln., Drusilla Shopping Center, 924.1386, 1.800.237.5381

galleries New Orleans, LA [504] CASSELL-BERGEN GALLERY, 1305 Decatur St., cassellbergengallery.com, 504.524.0671

guides America Damron Travel Guide, 800.462.6654, www.damron.com Gulf South/United States AMBUSH Mag, 828-A Bourbon St., New Orleans, LA 70116-3137; 504.522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; marsha@ripandmarsha.com

groceries/delis New Orleans, LA [504] QUARTERMASTER DELI, THE NELLIE DELI, 1100 Bourbon, 529.1416

hair salons New Orleans, LA [504] Head Quarters Hair Salon, 906 Bourbon

St., 522.2666 Mickey Nolan's Salon, 717 Toulouse St., 587.7782 Two Guys Cutting Hair, 2372 St. Claude Ave., Suite 125, appointments: Adikus 215.519.5030, Trent 504.239.2397

hardware New Orleans, LA [504] MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER HARDWARE, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465

lodging/accommodations New Orleans [504] AARON INGRAM HAUS, 1012 Elysian Fields, New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE: 504.949.3110, www.ingramhaus.com/xqey, e-mail us at ingramhaus@yahoo.com. Condos with queen-size beds, private entrances; located only six blocks from Bourbon Street and walking distance to most New Orleans attractions. Several favorite bars are within one block. [0715] BLUES60 GUEST HOUSE, 1008 Elysian Fields Ave. New Orleans, LA 70117, Phone: 1.504.324.4311, www.blues60guesthouse.com, info@blues60guesthouse.com. The Blue60 Guest House with 5 suites provides a peaceful retreat in the center of the Faubourg Marigny, just blocks from the French Quarter and Frenchman St. [1115] BURGUNDY BED AND BREAKFAST, 2513 Burgundy St., New Orleans, LA 70117, PHONE/FAX: 504.942.1463, Toll Free (Continental US only): 1.800.970.2153, www.theburgundy.com, E-mail us at theburgundy@cox.net. Gay owned and operated in newly renovated 1890's double. Four guest rooms with private baths, guests' parlor and "halfkitchen", courtyard and half-open tubhouse with spa (hot tub/whirlpool). Clothing optional in sunbathing and hot tub area. Walking distance to French Quarter. Immediate vicinity of gay and lesbian bars/venues. [0815] THE FRENCH QUARTER GUEST HOUSES, 1005 St. Peter, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone: 1.800.367.5858, FrenchQuarterGuestHouses.com, email: Info@frenchquarterguesthouses.com. Four meticulously restored boutique inns located in the heart of the French Quarter's most popular LGBT neighborhood. Each building's individual character and charm provides an unforgettable authentic French Quarter experience! FRENCH QUARTER SUITES HOTEL, 1119 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.524.7725, Toll Free: 800.457.2253,FrenchQuarterSuites.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com. Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A locally owned and operated French Quarter hotel that has been beautifully transformed into spacious multi-bedroom suites. Several historical townhouses are also available to accommodate larger groups of up to 26. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St., free WiFi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available. NEW ORLEANS COURTYARD HOTEL, 1101 North Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, Phone 504.522.7333, Toll Free: 800.457.2253, NOCourtyard.COM. Email us at Reservations@bpmhotels.com, Official Host Hotel of OZ New Orleans. A 19th century home that has been historically restored and transformed into a locally owned and operated hotel. Experience the rich history and hospitality of New Orleans at an affordable price. Just 3 blocks from Bourbon St, free Wi-Fi, swimming pool, and continental breakfast included. Off street parking is available.

marketing & printing New Orleans, LA [504] SIR SPEEDY, 343 Carondelet, 586.9812, 586.9817, offering printing and marketing services including web design and hosting. info@sirspeedyneworleans.com, sirspeedyneworleans.com

massage New Orleans, LA [504] RIGHT TOUCH MASSAGE -- Christopher - Full body therapeutic massage (Swedish/Deep Tissue); heated table; private studio; tropical garden; Faubourg Marigny Area, French Quarter. Upgrade (Salt Scrubs Bodywork & Thai/Sport Stretching massage). Call/text 504.458.5996 / For pictures http://www.christophernola.com. License #LA4553 [is2515]

media New Orleans, LA [504] AMBUSH Mag, Official Gay Easter Parade Guide, Official Gay Mardi Gras Guide, Official Gay New Orleans Guide, Official Gulf South Guide, Official Pride Guide, Official Southern Decadence Guide, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, AmbushMag.COM; email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com AMBUSHonLINE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049, ambushonline.com, email: marsha@ripandmarsha.com

museum/arts New Orleans, LA [504] BEAUREGARD-KEYES HOUSE, 1113 Chartres, 523.7257 CABILDO, 701 Chartres, Jackson Square, CAC [Contemporary Arts Center], 900 Camp St., 528.3805, cacno.org EDGAR DEGAS HISTORIC HOME, 2306 Esplanade Avenue, tours by appointment: 504.821.5009, the house tour lasts one hour, is led by a great-grand-niece of Degas, and includes the award-winning documentary video, Degas in New Orleans: A Creole Sojourn 1850 HOUSE, 523 St. Ann GALLIER HOUSE, 1132 Royal, 523.6722 GERMAINE WELLS MARDI GRAS MUSEUM, 2nd Floor Arnaud's, 819 Bienville HERMANN-GRIMA HISTORIC HOUSE, 820 St. Louis, 525.5661 HISTORICAL PHARMACY MUSEUM, 514 Chartres, 524.9077 HISTORIC NEW ORLEANS COLLECTION, 533 Royal, 523.4662 LONGUE VUE HOUSE AND GARDENS, 7 Bamboo Rd, Metairie, 488.5488, MUSEE CONTI HISTORICAL WAX MUSEUM, 917 Conti, 525.2605 NEW ORLEANS MUSEUM OF ART, City Park, 1 Collins Diboll Circle, 488.2631 OGDEN MUSEUM OF SOUTHERN ART, 925 Camp St., 539.9600 OLD U.S. MINT, 400 Esplanade PRESBYTERE, 751 Chartres, Jackson Square ST. LOUIS CATHEDRAL, Jackson Square WORLD WAR 2 MUSEUM, 945 Magazine, 527.6012, http://nationalww2museum.org

music New Orleans [504] SKULLY'Z RECORDZ, 907 Bourbon St., 592.4666

organizations New Orleans, LA [504] ACLU and ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, P.O. Box 56157, New Orleans, LA 70156, 504.522.0628 x25, Fax: 888.537.0384, laaclu.org AIDS HOTLINE, 821.6050 in New Orleans, 1.800.99.AIDS[2437]-9 toll free statewide AIDSLaw of Louisiana, 3801 Canal St., Suite 331, 568.1631, AIDSLAW.org ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, 838.3399 BIG EASY STOMPERS, Country & Western line dancing. Weekly lessons and monthly Country & Western dance party, www.bigeasystompersneworleans.com, info@bigeasystompersneworleans.com BELLE REVE NEW ORLEANS, AIDS Residence for Families, PO Box 3305, 70177; 945.9455 BreakOUT! builds the power of youth ages 13-25 in New Orleans to end the criminalization of

LGBTQ youth of color, 504.252.9025, 1001 S. Broad St. #119, NOLA 70125, @youthbreakout, www.youthbreakout.org, COMMUNITY ACTION NETWORK, a project of the NO/AIDS Task Force which works with the gay community to implement HIV prevention activities, 507 Frenchmen St., 945.4000, noaidstaskforce.com COPS 8 (Citizens' Organization for Police Support in the 8th District), 840 N. Rampart St., #51, 70116; 588.COPS (2677), cops8.org FOOD FOR FRIENDS, 944.6028 FORUM FOR EQUALITY, 336 Lafayette, Suite 200, 70130; 947.2981, ForumForEquality.COM FRIDAY NIGHT BEFORE MARDI GRAS (FNBMG), PO Box 791376, New Orleans, LA 70179-1376; 733.3311, fridaynightbeforemardigras.com, fnbmg@cox.net GAY APPRECIATION AWARDS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137; 522.8049; AmbushMag.COM/GAA GAY EASTER PARADE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, info@gayeasterparade.com, GayEasterParade.COM GAY MARDI GRAS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM GAY NEW ORLEANS, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, GayNewOrleans.COM HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance Region Two, Inc.), 4550 North Blvd. Ste. 250, Baton Rouge, LA 70806, 225.927.1269, www.haartinc.org, offers a complete continuum of care to people living with HIV/AIDS including housing, primary care, medications, case management, and an array of supportive services. In addition HAART provides HIV prevention education and FREE testing to the Baton Rouge area. HALLOWEEN IN NEW ORLEANS, INC., PO Box 52171, 70152-2171; halloween neworleans.com/ambush KREWE OF AMON-RA, PO Box 7033, Metairie, LA 70010, KreweOfAmonRa.COM KREWE OF ARMEINIUS, PO Box 56638, New Orleans, LA 70156-6638, kreweofarmeinius.org KREWE OF MWINDO, PO Box 51031, 70156; 913.5791, KreweOfMwindo.ORG, krewe@kreweofmwindo.org KREWE OF NARCISSUS, PO Box 3832, New Orleans, LA 70177. Contact: 504.228.9441 KREWE OF PETRONIUS, PO Box 1102, Kenner, LA. 70063-1102, www.kreweofpetroius.net KREWE OF QUEENATEENAS / KING CAKE QUEEN ROYALTY CLUB, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 522.8049, GayMardiGras.COM/KCQ KREWE OF URSUS, kreweofursus@aol.com LGBT+ Archives Project of Louisiana, 1308 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans, LA 70116, 504.475.7911, www.lgbtarchivesla.org LORDS OF LEATHER, 1631 Elysian Fields, #161, 70117, www.lordsofleather.org Louisiana Equality Foundation, serving the Louisiana LGBT Community through education, activism, and awareness. www. l o u i s i a n a e q u a l i t y f o u n d a t i o n . o r g , info@louisianaequalityfoundation.org Metropolitan Community Church of New Orleans, services at 10am, 6200 St Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA 70118; 504.270.1MCC www.mccneworleans.org MYSTIC KREWE OF SATYRICON, 2443 Halsey Ave., New Orleans, LA 70114, 504.906.7990 Todd J. Blauvelt / Secretary, krewe.of.satyricon@gmail.com, MysticKreweOfSatyricon.COM NEW ORLEANS BEAR AND BEAR TRAPPER SOCIAL CLUB, P.O. Box 57756, New Orleans, LA 70157-7756, 504.298.0061, theneworleansbears.com NEW ORLEANS GAY MEN’S CHORUS, 322.7007, nogmc.com; nogmc@aol.com NEW ORLEANS JAZZ & HERITAGE FESTIVAL, nojazzfest.com NO/AIDS TASK FORCE, 2601 Tulane Ave., Suite 500, 70119; 821.2601; NOAIDSTaskForce.COM PFLAG/NO [Parents & Friends of Lesbians

& Gays/ New Orleans], PO Box 15515, 70175; 895.3936, 392.0001, pflagno.org, info@pflagno.org PRIDE, NOLAPride.ORG PROJECT LAZARUS, A Residence for PWAs, PO Box 3906, 70177-3906; 949.3609 REGIONALAIDS INTERFAITH NETWORK [RAIN], 523.3755 RENEGADE BEARS OF LOUISIANA, PO Box 3083, New Orleans, LA 70177; renegadebearsoflouisiana@gmail.com SOUTHERN DECADENCE, 828-A Bourbon St., 70116-3137, 504.522.8049, SouthernDecadence.COM ST. ANNA'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, 1313 Esplanade Avenue New Orleans, LA 70116 947.2121, stannanola.org VOLLEYBALL NEW ORLEANS, PO Box 13306, 70185-3306; volleyballneworleans.com, postmaster@volleyballneworleans.com

pets New Orleans, LA [504] DR. MIKE'S ANIMAL HOUSE, 1120 N. Rampart, 523.4455

pharmacy Baton Rouge, LA [225] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7. Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com New Orleans, LA [504] AVITA PHARMACY, offers personalized, convenient care to those affected by chronic illnesses. Avita offers free delivery, co-pay assistance, benefit coordination, and refill reminder calls as well as access to a pharmacist 24/7. Every prescription filled today helps Avita give back to the community tomorrow. www.avitapharmacy.com MUMFREY'S PHARMACY, 1021 W. Judge Perez Dr., Chalmette, LA 70043, 504.279.6312, www.MumfreysPharmacy.COM. Supporting & serving the LGBT Community for over 20 years. Local pharmacy offering personalized family-like service, automatic refills & free metro wide confidential pickup & delivery. Also offering shipping for out-side our delivery area. When you call us you speak to a person, not a machine. See our ad.

photography New Orleans, LA [504] GRAHAM/STUDIO ONE NEW ORLEANS, by appointment, grahamstudioone.com

restaurants Metairie, LA [504] Chef Ron's Gumbo Stop & Pub, 2309 N. Causeway Blvd., 835.2022, GumboStop.com New Orleans, LA [504] Besh Steak at Harrah’s New Orleans, 228 Poydras St., www.HarrahsNewOrleans.com, 504.533.6111 The Bombay Club, 830 Rue Conti, 577.2237, www.bombayclubneworleans.com Broussard’s Restaurant & Courtyard, 819 Rue Conti, 581.3866, http://broussards.com Cheezy Cajun, 3325 St. Claude Ave., 265.0045, www.TheCheezyCajun.com Clover Grill, 900 Bourbon St., 598.1010, www.CloverGrill.com Country Club Restaurant, 634 Louisa St., www.TheCountryClubNewOrleans.com, 945.0742 Deanie's Seafood, French Quarter: 841 Iberville, 581.4141; Bucktown: 1713 Lake Ave., Metairie, 831.1316; www.Deanies.com Fatoush Mediterranean Grill, Coffee House & Juice Bar, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #130, FatoushRestaurantNOLA.com, 371.5074 Gene's Po-Boys & Daquiris, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 943.3861,

www.genespoboys.com Ilys Bistro, 1040 Elysian Fields Ave., 947.8341, www.Facebook.com/ILYSBistro

Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails, 337 Chartres St. 598.5005, www.KinfishNewOrleans.com Little Vic’s Rosticceria, 719 Toulouse, 304.1238, www.littlevics.com Manning’s Restaurant, 519 Fulton St., 504.593.8118, www.manningsneworleans.com Mona Lisa Restaurant, 1212 Royal St., 522.6746 Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar & Bistro, 720 Orleans, 523.1930, www.OrleansGrapevine.com Quartermaster: The Nellie Deli, 1100 Bourbon St. , 529.1416, www.QuartermasterDeli.net

Royal House Oyster Bar, 441 Royal St., 528.2601, www.RoyalHouseRestaurant.com

real estate New Orleans, LA [504] New Orleans Relocation, Realtors — gayowned boutique real estate agency for locals and newcomers. 504.273.0088 www.NOLArelo.com

retail/shopping New Orleans, LA [504] BOURBON PRIDE, 909 Bourbon, 566.1570 COK (Clothing or Kinkl), 941 Elysian Fields, 945.9264 CUIR, 708 Toulouse St., 249.5603 HIT PARADE, 741 Bourbon St., Facebook.COM/HitParadeNOLA MARY'S FRENCH QUARTER KITCHEN & BATH, 732 N. Rampart, 529.4465 MR. BINKY'S BOUTIQUE, 107 Chartres St., 302.2095, MrBinkys.com PANDA BEAR, 415 Bourbon St., 529.8064 QT PIE BOUTIQUE - 241 Dauphine St., 581. 6633 RAB DAB CLOTHING AND GIFTS, 918 Royal St., 525.6662

services New Orleans, LA [504] ABC Title Services, www.abctitle.com

theatres New Orleans, LA [504] CAFE ISTANBUL, 2372 St. Claude Ave., #140, 504.974.0786, CafeIstanbulNOLA.COM

tours New Orleans, LA [504] Gay New Orleans Walking Tour, Crescent City Tour Booking Agency, (LGBT Business of the Year) 638 St. Ann St., 568.0717. follow Gay New Orleans Walking Tour @ Facebook.COM

Advertising Info 504.522.8049 ripna@ambushmag.com

Celebrating Mardi Gras @ B-Bob's, Flip Side & More! ~ Mobile, alabama ~ Photos by Miss Cie, Leon Weekley

m obile paparazzi

big easy

Mardi Gras Highlights ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Jeremy Weinberg

paparazzi

ambush marketplace

big easy

In The Carnival Spirit ~ New Orleans ~ Photos by Tony Leggio, Paul Melancon, Hubert S Monkeys

paparazzi